Reminder, during the series finale of Smallville, Lex Luthor was resurrected as a clone version and killed his sister Tess after his father was dying and gave the cloned body his heart. Before Tess died, though, she injected Lex with a drug that wiped his memory. The finale fast forwarded seven years when Clark and Lois were finally wedding, and he was flying. They showed that Lex Luthor would eventually be President, so he clearly changes his evil ways and goes back to the potential good guy he was in seasons 1 to 4. However, this story exists six years before that. That means Lex is still forming who he is—at least that's the way I'm writing him. This would be the Lex from Smallville and not Supergirl today. Lex could be the politician Kevin Spader portrayed in House of Cards, or he could be a true humanitarian. I think there's a lot of room for creativity there, and I hope you enjoy seeing him in this story.
Chapter 16: Lex Luthor
*****The Next Day, Gotham*****
Bruce woke up like he always did—completely alert. Today, though, was a bit different from other days as he was wrapped around a warm, soft body. He smiled as he looked at the bright sunlight streaming in the window. It was close to noon. No surprise since they had gone two rounds and had reached for each other in the night two other times.
Faith was insatiable, and she made him that way, too. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder and stroked his hand down her body. Then she began to stir and turned in his arms, giving him a sleepy, well-satisfied smile. Her hair was in her face, and he brushed it away, causing her to smile.
"Damn, Bruce," she said. "I think you almost wore me out. Did you take one of those little blue pills?"
Bruce gave her a dark look. "No," he said.
She laughed that sexy laugh of hers that never failed to make his body react. "I was just teasing," she said. Then she leaned closer to press her lips against his.
Faith still felt like she was dreaming a dream that she never dared to dream. How did this sexy millionaire choose her and make her feel like she was worth more than a quick roll in the hay? Maybe, that's all it was to him, though.
She sat up, unconcerned about her nakedness, and he watched her closely—almost like he knew what she was thinking. But he couldn't. He hadn't known her long enough to know what she was thinking.
"So I guess I'll get dressed," she said.
"What's your hurry?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I don't do this," Faith said, standing and reaching for her panties.
"Do what?" Bruce asked even though he could see the panic setting in.
"I don't do the couple thing," she said, pulling up her underwear and reaching for her bra. "I tried it with Robin, and it didn't work."
"So you don't think it could work with any other guy?" Bruce said in amusement.
Faith gave him a cross look. "Robin was educated like you are. He was a fighter like you, but he fought vampires and demons. Now he's training the minis," she said.
"Were you serious?" Bruce asked. This is the first time she'd mentioned another lover—at least not seriously.
Faith nodded. "Yeah," she said. "I've never been with a guy like him. He was so together, so educated. But I was never really good enough for him, and he was very uncomfortable with my uncouth ways." She used her fingers to air quote the word uncouth. A bitter smile graced her face. "Yea, I had to look up that word—uncouth."
"He sounds like a pompous ass," Bruce said.
"Not really. He's devoted his life to teaching and protecting teenagers. Now he's a headmaster at one of our slayer schools," Faith said. "But if I wasn't good enough for him, I doubt that I'd be good enough for you 'cause you're so much more in every way."
"That's right," Bruce said, reaching for her hand and tugging her back down. "I am more sure of what I want and want I need in my life. I am more confident, so I would never be bothered by breach of manners. What I want is you." He pulled her closer to kiss her. Then he pulled away. "Don't go runnin' scared, Faith. You are braver than that."
"I ain't scared," she said with a snort and tilt of her chin. "I just don't like wasting my time."
Bruce grinned, refusing to let her push him away. "I can definitely make it worth your wild," he said. His lips moved to her neck.
"So is it just sex?" Faith asked, annoyed at her own weakness.
Bruce wasn't sure how ready he was to share his feelings, but he could see that she was on the brink of running. There were no real ties to Gotham, and she could leave at any time. Another slayer could easily be sent in her place. He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "I have never waited weeks to sleep with a woman. If it was just sex, I would've slept with you the first night we ate together as you know you would've welcomed me."
She smirked. "That's probably true," she admitted.
"You are all I think about," he told her. "Every moment that I'm not specifically focused on work, my thoughts are on you—what you're doing, how you are, when can I see you again. Sometimes, you even intrude on work—it's damn annoying."
Her eyes lit up. "Sucks to be you," she said, gaining back some of her confidence.
"You are sexy as hell, but I've known a lot of beautiful women," he said. "I've loved exactly two women in my life. One died on me, and the other was too broken to ever be a true partner. With you, I see a partner—an equal. Someone who I can learn from, and someone I can teach a few things to. We have the same goals—protect the innocent and defeat evil in any form."
"We sound pretty damn great together," Faith said, leaning into his embrace more. "You keep talking like that and I might start think you love me."
Bruce turn her chin, so he could look into her eyes. "I'm starting to think that I do," he said softly.
Faith gave him a searching look before offering him a wide grin. "I guess you are as smart as they say you are," she said.
He chuckled and then laid down, pulling her on top of him. Relief filled him as his lips met hers.
*****Los Angeles*****
Cora hugged her favorite green friend. "So great to see you, Lorne," she said. All of them had been assembled in Angel's office where she flew to. Kara stood a little a part, but she seemed nice enough. Cora knew that her new mission would not allow her to work for Wolfram & Hart. Even now, it was hard for her not to go through the place and destroy the evil she sensed. Since Kara didn't seem uncomfortable, she wondered if she sensed it, too.
"Hey, Kara, do you sense the evil in this building?" she asked.
Kara frowned as she considered the question. "Not really," she said. "I was twelve when I left Krypton, so I most likely wouldn't sense demons as they'd just register as other aliens to me."
"Well, I can sense it, and it's making my skin crawl," Cora said.
"I got rid of the really evil beings, Cordy," Angel assured her. "I had Lorne go through every single employee, and they sung for him. They can't hide from him."
"They can't hide plans to do harm, but if they think their actions are right, would that register to him?" Cora asked.
"I don't know," Angel said, looking at Lorne.
Lorne frowned as he considered it. "It's possible, I suppose," he said.
"Why do you think you can sense things?" Fred asked, curious.
"Maybe growing up on a hellmouth?" Cora theorized. "Or my demon aspect."
"That's true. Although I would think your new Kryptonian aspect would've rooted out the demon aspect," Wesley said, his eyes lighting up at the new puzzle. "We've never had a being such as you. It's so fascinating. You have all the powers of Kara?"
Cora nodded. "Yes, Kal-el, who everyone calls Superman, has an AI of his dad named Jor-El. Jor-El's the one who actually saved me. He used Kal-el's DNA and sliced it with mine," she said. Clark would be pleased that she actually remembered to use his Kryptonian name.
"Did you hear about Lex Luthor offering up information about Sunnydale?" Gunn asked.
She winced. "Yes, my ears are still ringing from the yelling from Buffy and Willow," she said.
"They were made, huh?" Gunn wondered.
"That's an understatement," Cora said. "We met General Lane, and he knew about a lot of things we didn't think the government was aware of. He knew who Buffy was."
"Lane? Why is that name familiar?" Gunn asked.
"He's related to Lois Lane, the reporter who died helping at Sunnydale," Angel explained. "He wants Buffy to come out as the slayer to everyone to deflect inquiries about the many slayers."
"That is a good idea," Wesley observed. "Having only one has always been the way things were, so it should be easy enough."
"Cordy, do you want to go to your old apartment?" Angel said. "I kept up the rent, and all your stuff is still there."
"You did?" Cora said in surprise. "That's great, Angel. What about Dennis? Is he there?"
"I actually moved him to my place, so he wouldn't get lonely," Wesley confessed. "I can move him back."
"No, that's fine," she said. "I'm not sure what my plans are, but I do want to go see him."
She didn't know what exactly she was going to do next, but it was good to be back with her friends again.
*****Metropolis*****
Lex Luthor's mind was full of possibilities. He had always prided himself on being a visionary—the type of man that looked to the future and imagined how to improve the world. He wanted to be so much better than his father. Although he had lost his memories in the Darkseid attack that killed his sister Tess and father, he had uncovered all his journals. Sadly, he had stopped journaling the last five years of his life. However, he knew enough about his past to know his burning desire to surpass his often cruel and demanding father.
It was strange reading about his life and not having a single emotional memory. Instead, it was like reading a storybook. Now, though, the world was changed. Superman was an alien, who seemed to genuinely care about humanity. His mission was to help mankind, so Lex could support that even if it made him wary. The thought that there could be other alien life out there that might not have Superman's morals, but his powers, kept him awake at night.
Superman's revelation that the Earth held true evil—demons and vampires—was a new worry that consumed Lex. He felt a deep responsibility to use his wealth and his intelligence to help mankind. To know that a threat existed that was beyond what he ever considered rattled him to his very core. He had immediately created an entire department dedicated to researching rumors about the supernatural. Stories about a girl with superpowers who fought demons was found again and again.
When Superman's new sister had been revealed, she confirmed what his people had already discovered. Sunnydale had been a hotspot for evil, and some unknown woman had destroyed the town closing the hotspot forever. She worked with others, who helped her. The unknown woman inspired people to risk their life fighting monsters. This was someone that he had to meet.
"Sir," his assistant buzzed in on his phone, "General Lane is here for your ten o'clock."
"Send him in," Lex ordered.
He stood to greet the general, offering him a seat in the chair in front of his desk.
"What can I do for you, General?" Lex asked.
"It's what can you do for your country," General Lane said with an easy grin. "Yesterday, I met with Superman, his sister, and his cousin. They introduced me to the hero of Sunnydale."
Lex's eyes widened in surprise. "You met her? Who is she?" he asked.
"I can't tell you that," General Lane said. "She has powerful allies that the U.S. cannot afford to alienate. However, she is considering coming forward."
"Really?" Lex asked, unable to hide his eagerness.
"She is considering it. I did my best to convince her of the advantages of having her come forward," he said. "Reassuring the public is an important priority. Luckily, she is an American."
"That is good news," Lex said.
"That's not all I came to tell you, however," General Lane said. "I wanted to give you a folder that I am authorized to share with you. It's got all the information that is not redacted about a military project named the Initiative that took place in Sunnydale nearly four years ago."
Lex nodded, not as surprised. "My people had shared rumors about military involvement in Sunnydale, but I had yet to get a confirmation," he said.
"I can't share any names of people that are currently still alive—nearly 70% of all involved were massacred by a project the leader—a civilian contractor—had allowed to escape her control. She tried to harness demon power with robotics," General Lane shared.
Lex's eyes lit up. "Now that's fascinating," he opened the file. "Was she successful?"
"No. It was an utter disaster," he said grimly. "In fact, I have been warned if the United States tries such an endeavor with demons, we will regret it."
"That's too bad," Lex said.
"However, I was told that at least one vampire was successfully chipped an unable to feed on humans," he shared.
"Is there records of how that was done?" Lex asked, his mind full of possibilities.
"Yes," General Lane said. "However, it's a precarious situation. From what I've been told, vampires are demons who take over the body of a human after they've died, and their soul moves on. They retain all the memories, however, of the human, making it a true violation."
"That's horrible," Lex said. "I can see why Superman is so determined to eradicate them."
"Yes," he said. "So you can see how problematic it would be to chip a vampire?"
Lex nodded. "Yes, I do. However, can we afford to ignore a possible weapon?" he asked.
"I was thinking an elite squad," he said. "The older the vampire, the stronger. However, they probably would not make good candidates as they are still evil and more likely to resent being contained. Newly turned vampires would be the best choice if one wanted to experiment in such a way."
Lex's mind filled with possibilities as he considered the endless potential of such a weapon. "We could simply kill them without any ethical compromises," he said.
General Lane nodded. "That was my thoughts," he said.
"Is this something the military wants to consider?" Lex asked.
"The President will not risk alienating either Superman or the hero of Sunnydale," he said. "He is not opposed to out of the box thinking, but we would have to win over one of the two before we went too far in development."
"Maybe, start with just one or two," Lex said.
"I would suggest three," General Lane replied.
Lex smiled. "Three has always been my favorite number," he said.
*****Chapter End*****
It has been way too long since an update, so I hope this will keep you interested. I was going to get to Buffy and Clark, but I wanted to give an update. They will be in next chapter. More to come! Review if you want. Thanks!
